The number of people living below US$ 1 per day in Vietnam fell from 63.7 per cent in 1993 to 21.5 per cent in 2006. However, the gap between rich and poor people, between urban and rural populations, and between the majority Kinh group and ethnic minorities, have all widened over the same period. As a result, poverty is now concentrated amongst ethnic minorities, particularly those living in upland areas.

Oxfam Hong Kong began working with Vietnamese people in the mid-1970s when over 100,000 Vietnamese arrived in Hong Kong, fleeing conflict, persecution and poverty in Vietnam. Oxfam started working in Vietnam in 1988 and opened its office in Hanoi in 1993. Oxfam has received numerous awards from the Government for contributions to poverty reduction. 

Oxfam’s programmes in Vietnam have focused on:

• empowerment of women
• elimination of hunger through the introduction of new crops, techniques and irrigation systems
• a reduction in disease through community health care and improved water and sanitation
• creation of new livelihood options such as livestock raising
• reduction in risks to people through disaster risk management systems and landmine clearance
• humanitarian responses which have reduced loss of life and restored livelihoods
• increased collaboration between government, civil society and communities

Current programmes in Vietnam focus on improving the livelihoods and security of ethnic minorities living in upland areas in Nghe An, Quang Tri and Dak Nong. This includes:

• community organising
• introducing new techniques in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and water supply and sanitation
• improving the design and delivery of government services and poverty reduction programmes
• disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response